James Island (South Carolina)
Encyclopedia
James Island is one of South Carolina
's most urban Sea Islands
. The island is separated from peninsular downtown Charleston by the Ashley River
, from the mainland by Wappoo Creek and the Wappoo Cut, and from Johns Island by the Stono River
. It lies inshore of Morris Island
and Folly Beach.
Fort Sumter
is located on an island just off the eastern tip of James Island and is the site of the first battle of the Civil War
. Bombardment of Fort Sumter was started from Fort Johnson which is located on the eastern portion of James Island.
For much of the period before and after the formation of the United States, James Island land was largely agricultural with close to 20 plantations making up much of the island. Growth accelerated after World War II
and James Island became a suburban bedroom community to Charleston.
As of the 2000 census, the United States Census Bureau
reported that 33,781 people lived on the island. Approximately one-half of the island lies within the city limits of Charleston
, and the remainder of the island is unincorporated since the State Supreme Court deemed the Town of James Island was illegally formed.
There has been political discord concerning the incorporation of portions of the island into the City of Charleston. The town of James Island
has been founded on three separate occasions. All three incorporation's were overturned as a result of legal suits filed by the city. The third incorporation attempt was in contention in another legal suit by the city, and on November 7, 2008, the town's incorporation was upheld by a Circuit Court
judge. However, the city has filed an appeal of the decision to the South Carolina Supreme Court
. Ultimately, this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Should someone attempt to form another town, citizens of the unincorporated areas can vote for it or remain in the County of Charleston by voting no. No date is currently set for approval of an incorporation effort. Proponents of the new town planned to increase it size through annexation, the very thing they objected to the City of Charleston doing.
As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of James Island is included within the Charleston-North Charleston Urbanized Area and the larger Charleston-North Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Samuel Smalls, the man upon whom the novel Porgy
and subsequent opera Porgy and Bess
are based, is buried in the cemetery beside James Island Presbyterian Church.
Comedian and political satirist Stephen Colbert
, along with his 10 brothers and sisters, grew up on James Island.
Mary Clark, Author, farmer, politician
Football players Langston Moore
of the Detroit Lions
and Roddy White
of the Atlanta Falcons
and Bo Patterson of Dartmouth College both attended James Island High School and played football while at school there. MLB
player Gorman Thomas grew up up James Island and played baseball for original James Island High School (mascot Rams). The 2 schools merged in 1982.
The public schools on James Island are part of the Charleston County School District and include Harborview, Stiles Point, James Island and Murray-LaSaine, and Apple Charter Elementary Schools; James Island and Fort Johnson Middle Schools, and James Island Charter High School. The high school interscholastic teams are the Trojans and wear blue and orange uniforms.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
's most urban Sea Islands
Sea Islands
The Sea Islands are a chain of tidal and barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean coast of the United States. They number over 100, and are located between the mouths of the Santee and St. Johns Rivers along the coast of the U.S...
. The island is separated from peninsular downtown Charleston by the Ashley River
Ashley River (South Carolina)
The Ashley River is a blackwater / tidal river in South Carolina, rising from the Wassamassaw and Great Cypress Swamps in western Berkeley County. It consolidates its main channel about five miles west of Summerville, widening into a tidal estuary just south of Fort Dorchester...
, from the mainland by Wappoo Creek and the Wappoo Cut, and from Johns Island by the Stono River
Stono River
The Stono River is a tidal channel in southeast South Carolina, located southwest of Charleston. The channel runs southwest to northeast between the mainland and Wadmalaw Island and Johns Island, from north Edisto River between Johns and James Island. The Intracoastal Waterway runs through...
. It lies inshore of Morris Island
Morris Island
Morris Island is an 840 acre uninhabited island in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina, accessible only by boat. The island lies in the outer reaches of the harbor and was thus a strategic location in the American Civil War.-History:...
and Folly Beach.
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
is located on an island just off the eastern tip of James Island and is the site of the first battle of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Bombardment of Fort Sumter was started from Fort Johnson which is located on the eastern portion of James Island.
For much of the period before and after the formation of the United States, James Island land was largely agricultural with close to 20 plantations making up much of the island. Growth accelerated after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and James Island became a suburban bedroom community to Charleston.
As of the 2000 census, the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
reported that 33,781 people lived on the island. Approximately one-half of the island lies within the city limits of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, and the remainder of the island is unincorporated since the State Supreme Court deemed the Town of James Island was illegally formed.
There has been political discord concerning the incorporation of portions of the island into the City of Charleston. The town of James Island
James Island, South Carolina
James Island is a former town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. It is located in the central and southern parts of James Island. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
has been founded on three separate occasions. All three incorporation's were overturned as a result of legal suits filed by the city. The third incorporation attempt was in contention in another legal suit by the city, and on November 7, 2008, the town's incorporation was upheld by a Circuit Court
South Carolina Circuit Court
The South Carolina Circuit Court is the state court of general jurisdiction of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It consists of a civil division and a criminal division ....
judge. However, the city has filed an appeal of the decision to the South Carolina Supreme Court
South Carolina Supreme Court
The South Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.-Selection of Justices:...
. Ultimately, this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Should someone attempt to form another town, citizens of the unincorporated areas can vote for it or remain in the County of Charleston by voting no. No date is currently set for approval of an incorporation effort. Proponents of the new town planned to increase it size through annexation, the very thing they objected to the City of Charleston doing.
As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of James Island is included within the Charleston-North Charleston Urbanized Area and the larger Charleston-North Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Samuel Smalls, the man upon whom the novel Porgy
Porgy
Porgy is a novel written by American author DuBose Heyward in 1925, as well as a play Dorothy Heyward helped him to write which debuted in 1927....
and subsequent opera Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess is an opera, first performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. It was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward...
are based, is buried in the cemetery beside James Island Presbyterian Church.
Comedian and political satirist Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.Colbert originally studied to be an...
, along with his 10 brothers and sisters, grew up on James Island.
Mary Clark, Author, farmer, politician
Football players Langston Moore
Langston Moore
Langston Moore is an American football defensive tackle for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
of the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
of the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Bo Patterson of Dartmouth College both attended James Island High School and played football while at school there. MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Gorman Thomas grew up up James Island and played baseball for original James Island High School (mascot Rams). The 2 schools merged in 1982.
The public schools on James Island are part of the Charleston County School District and include Harborview, Stiles Point, James Island and Murray-LaSaine, and Apple Charter Elementary Schools; James Island and Fort Johnson Middle Schools, and James Island Charter High School. The high school interscholastic teams are the Trojans and wear blue and orange uniforms.